The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-11-25
WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. D. G., Nov. 90,

w WASHINGTON. ~. ", NOV. 20, 1861.
As the time for the assembling Of
Congress draws nearer, the contest for
the position of Doorkeeper of the
House wakes warmer-that appearing
to be the only subordinate position
over which there is any competition,
though, if certain combinations that
are now being formed can be success
fully carried out, the old state will be
shattered and there will be sweeping
change. There are six candidates in
the field for Doorkeeper, from all Sec
tions of the country. Heretofore, it
has been the custom for the Democratic
Congressional caucus to equally divide
the four best offices-giving to the
North the sergeant -at-arms and post
master, and to the South the clerk and
doorkeeper-an arrangement that will
very likely be continued. The Demo-
cratic members from New York hav..
called a caucus to meet in this city the
latter part of the week, to determine
what course they will pursue in regard
to the doorkeepership.
Again the familiar faces of members
of Congress can be seen at the hotels
aud on the streets, and in their usual
haunts in the fashionable and aristo.
cratic northwest quarter of the city.
The Washingtonians draw the line of
social distinction right through the
middle of Pennsylvania Avenue, the
popular thoroughfare that leads from
the White House to the Capitol. If
ones habitation is north of that line,
he or she is presumed to be of respect
able social status, but if thsy dwell
south of it, they are regarded with
distrust until something transpires to
change that opinion. You see, dear
reader, l know how it is myself, for
coming here a stranger, / innocently
located OF the wrong side of Pennsyl-
vania avenue. But l have since
crossed over, and am now supposed 10
be as good as my neighbors.
In addition to several contests for
seats in the House, there will be two
or three in the Senate, and one of the
latter will be in general interest, as il
involves a constitutional question.
In West Virginia, the regular session
of the Legislature, having failed to
elect United States Senator, the Gov
ernor appointed one; but at called
session of the Legislature soon after
ward the Governors appointment was
ignored as illegal,and aSenator elected.
So two claimants-both Democrats
will appear for the same Senatorial
seat. One Of the other cases that /
refer to Is that of Senator.elect Turpl-,
of Indiana. Still, it lie doubtful if Ex.
Senator Harrison contests the seat, as
his alleged claim appears to rest upon
anything but firm foundation. Then,
too, the Senate is much more impair
tial and conservative than the House
in the settling of contests.
The British Fisheries Commission
having reached the Capital, it Is prob
able that negotiations will be ia pro.
gress before the end of this week. Up
on the arrival of Mr.. Chamberlain, the
chief commissioner, he was besieged at
his hotel by forty reporters of the lead.
ing newspapers Of the country, bat the
only subjects on which the adroit di-
ploma'ist could be satisfactorily inter
viewed were liquors, cigars, and kin
dred topics. The boys yivaclously
pumped away over an hour, but all TO
no purpose further than that they were
considerably refreshed internally.
Thanks to the honest, reform
methods of democratic adminis,ra
ton, the annual deficits, for defraying
the expenses of the Postofiice establish
ment, which have, for a number of
years, mounted to eight to fifteen mil
lion dollars annually, have been steadily
reduced until the last deficiency was
about one million dollars, and it is con-
fidenlly estimated hat before the close
OF tn current year the Postoffice de-
partment will be running on a paying
basil.
President Cleveland has appointed
Geo l.. Rivers, of New York, to fill
the position of First Assistant Secre
tary of State, made vacant by the
resignation of Ex-Governor Porter, of
Tennessee. The President has two
other good places TO fill-Commission-
er of the General Land Office, vacated
by the retirement of Mr.. Sparks, and
Justice of tn Supreme Court.
During the abs nee of Mr.. Hall,
Commissioner OF Patents, Gen. Robert
B. Vance, Assistant Commissioner. fills
the former position in q manner highly
credltable to himself aud acceptable
60 ALL The Acting Commissioner
while in Congress was Chairman of
the Committee on Patents, and he is a
brother of Senator Vance, of North
Carolina.
Treasurer Hya,t's report shows that
there il still outstanding more than
fifteen millon- of fractional currency,
nearly a of which wa supposed to
have been destroyed, showing that
large amount is yet ia circulation,
though called in twelve years ago.